A reality check.
While the Jackets were able to beat two middle-of-the-pack teams, the Flames and Kings, to close out their home stand, Tuesday night's 4-0 loss to the reigning Presidents Trophy-winning Florida Panthers is a sign of things to come. The Jackets face the three-time defending Eastern Conference-champion Tampa Bay Lightning Thursday night and then travel to Boston to face the Bruins, who currently sit atop the NHL standings.
#TimeToHunt Tkachuk goal pic.twitter.com/eDpftn77Qu
— Coby Maeir (@CobyMaeir) December 14, 2022
This Blue Jackets team is not very good, and that is okay. This season should be about getting a top-two pick to land Connor Bedard or Adam Fantilli, two center prospects viewed as generational. The Johnny Gaudreau signing unfairly raised expectations for this season, and the results on the ice have shown exactly why.
At 10-16-2, the Blue Jackets have the third-worst record in the league. This road trip consists of three games against two of the NHL's elite teams and a solid Florida team. Maybe that's a good thing for the franchise, though. If they get their doors blown off against Tampa and Boston it will be a sign to the front office that this is truly a rebuild and it is going to take time.
AND REINO MAKES IT FOUR pic.twitter.com/4ViHwP11Wr
— Florida Panthers (@FlaPanthers) December 14, 2022
The Jackets are more than a few players away. This road trip will likely show that.
